Myanmar Interfaith for Children (MIC) Statement

We, religious leaders from Myanmar Interfaith for children (MIC), representing the Buddhist, Christian, Islam and Hindu, call on the public and political parties to take the opportunity of the Myanmar’s historic 2015 election to make new commitments for every child in the country. What we are able to do for them now, will have a marked effect on their future since one-third of our population is made up of children […]

Human Rights Watch: Activists Charged for Mocking Military Online

(New York) – Burmese authorities should immediately release two people arrested this week for posting images on social media mocking the military, Human Rights Watch said today. The arrests took place in the run-up to the November 8, 2015 elections, with the military firmly in charge behind the scenes […]

Burma: International Religious Freedom Report for 2014

Muslim, Christian, and other religious minorities faced physical abuse, arbitrary arrest and detention, restrictions on religious practice and travel, and discrimination in employment and access to citizenship […]

Myanmar: Almost 100 Prisoners of Conscience Behind Bars Ahead of Elections Following Intensifying Repression

Myanmar’s authorities have been locking up and harassing scores of peaceful activists as part of an intensifying and far-reaching crackdown ahead of November’s elections, Amnesty International said as it launched a new campaign to free prisoners of conscience today […]

Freedom of Expression, Religion and Belief: As Freedom of Expression Shrinks, Discrimination is on the Rise

In the lead-up to the 2015 elections in Burma, religious minorities, especially the Muslim population, have been consistently subjected to state sponsored discrimination and violent abuse, while simultaneously denied representation in the political sphere or in civil society […]

Summit of Parliamentarians Concludes with Action Letters and Resolution

NEW YORK, 19 September 2015 – In the face of rising religious persecution of people on the grounds of faith or belief, parliamentarians from almost 50 countries concluded an unprecedented summit discussing ways to advance freedom of religion or belief for all […]

Religious Persecution Spurs Unprecedented Gathering of Parliamentarians

NEW YORK, 11 September 2015 – In the face of rising religious persecution of people on the grounds of faith or belief, on September 18-19, over 100 parliamentarians from almost 50 countries will assemble in New York City to discuss ways to advance freedom of religion or belief […]

Myanmar 2014: Civic Knowledge and Values in a Changing Society

After decades of military rule and isolation, a new Asia Foundation survey shows Myanmar’s citizens are hopeful about the future – on elections, respondents say they believe in exercising their right to vote: 77 percent say that voting can lead to improvements in the future, just 10 percent say things will not change no matter how one votes. But this optimism is tempered by challenges that remain. The findings reveal limited knowledge among the public about government institutions and their functions, low level of social trust, a high degree of political polarization, and deep apprehension about economic opportunities.

Media Release – Myanmar: The Politics of Rakhine State

The highly volatile situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State adds dangerously to the country’s political and religious tensions. Long-term, incremental solutions are critical for the future of Rakhine State and the country as a whole […]

Burma: USCIRF Examines Religious Freedom Violations During Fact-finding Trip to Burma

USCIRF conducted its first-ever Commissioner-level visit to Burma between August 19-23, 2014. Traveling to Rangoon, Mandalay, Meiktila and Naypyidaw, USCIRF met with Union and state government officials, Ran-goon-based representatives of ethnic and religious groups, representatives of non-governmental organizations, representatives of political parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and religious leaders. During this trip, USCIRF examined ways to promote tolerance and inclusion in light of the violations of religious freedom that have taken place, as well as the violence and discrimination reli-gious and ethnic minorities have experienced.

The visit not only confirmed USCIRF’s concerns about religious and ethnic minorities and the ongoing discrimination against Rohingya Muslims […]